RICHARD Egington surrendered his world crown as Great Britain men’s four finished outside of the medal positions in the world championship final.

The former Warrington Rowing Club star, a winner last year, had appeared on course for a repeat as the defending champions stormed into a comfortable lead by the race’s halfway point.

But their challenge faded badly after that.

Surprise packages France, defeated by Great Britain in Sunday’s heat, edged in front with 500m to row at New Zealand’s windy Lake Karapiro.

And they did not relent, claiming victory ahead of Greece and the hosts who squeezed out Egington and company in a sprint to the finish.

The 31-year-old ex-Lymm High School pupil, joined in the boat by Northwich rower Matthew Langridge, Alex Gregory and Alex Partridge, could not muster a response.

Their troubles could not have been predicted after the first 500m by which time the quartet had opened up a length lead over New Zealand.

The French had moved into second spot by halfway, but still trailed the British crew by more than three seconds.

It was at that point the turnaround started.

Great Britain, the only collective to be defending a world championship title, had slipped into second place with 500m to race.

They did not recover.

Defeat for the World Cup winners, so dominant on their way to that title earlier in the summer, now leaves the line-up’s future looking uncertain.

World Rowing Championship
Lake Karapiro, New Zealand
Men’s four final
1. France 6:45.38
2. Greece 6:47.15
3. New Zealand 6:48.38
4. Great Britain 6:49.02
5. United States 6:55.94
6. Italy 7:01.98